Customer Reviews

JumpStart Advanced 4th Grade

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I rented this software from the Library. It is a 3 disc program. My 3rd grader (almost 4th grader) loves the Ultimate Field Trips and Mystery Club volume 3. The fundamentals disc is a little too hard for her right now, so it is challenging. I played it because it looked fun and it was fun for me to play. I love the "mystery" tone of the software. I like these programs because there are fun games that do not get boring, and while your kids are playing the games, they are also learning a lot. I am going to purchase this software and the 3rd grade ADVANCED program so my child can review through the summer.

As with many of the older versions of Jump Start, this product doesn't seem to work on Macs running OSX in classic mode (despite their claim on the box) or virtual PC mode. I had contacted Vivendi Universal regarding a 2000 version of JS 3rd grade that I own only to hear, "we don't support that version any more," so I purchased a new copy of the 4th grade version (since that's the grade level I needed most for my kids) to find that I have the same problem with the "new" version. Ironically the version of JS in the 2003 package was created in 2000. Are they simply repackaging old products? My husband and I are extremely knowledgable computer users, so our problems aren't a user issue and so far this issue has only occured with our Jump Start products. If you're a Mac user runnning OSX, I would strongly recommend finding another product. I also want to add that the company isn't very supportive of their products on the customer and technical support side. However, it's only fair to mention that when we were to be able to use the games running on the old versions of the Mac operating system, my kids really enjoyed them and we were pleased with the educational content of the games.

I've used many of the Jumpstart Advanced programs. The best time to use them is the summer, once your child has completed a grade. As a teacher I find that most parents get the grade ahead for thier child. What they don't realize is that to go into the next grade prepared, students should remember and master all that was taught in the last grade. Jumpstart is a better alternative to a workbook.
When my son completed the 2nd grade I bought him the Jumpstart Advanced 2nd grade. I did the same when he completed the 1st. Now he is in the 4th grade I will do the same.He really enjoys the games. The programs provide a no pressure review of what he learned. He needs help with the material he did not master and he practices what he already knows. The Jumpstart offers an alternative way to review and maintain skills. I think it is a must for the summer. Jumpstart plus a lot of reading will help your child. They will go into the next grade prepared.

I must admitt I have never played "this" version of the game before, but I have played the old one. You we're lost in a haunted forest, trying to find secret keys to unlock the mystery that lied in an evil witches house. I admitt it was a tad scary, but it was fun and shouldn't have been modified. BUY THE OLD VERSION.